Indianapolis 500 notebook: Competitive field could make it a day for long shots

Sunday

May 26, 2013 at 12:01 AMMay 26, 2013 at 10:15 AM

INDIANAPOLIS - Beyond the buildup of Dario Franchitti and Helio Castroneves trying for their fourth wins today in the Indianapolis 500, there is a Kentucky Derby quality to the race. It could be a day for long shots - or at least lesser-publicized shots.

Tim May, The Columbus Dispatch

INDIANAPOLIS — Beyond the buildup of Dario Franchitti and Helio Castroneves trying for their fourth wins today in the Indianapolis 500, there is a Kentucky Derby quality to the race. It could be a day for long shots — or at least lesser-publicized shots.

“I expect surprises,” said Ryan Hunter-Reay, the defending IndyCar series champion who will start seventh.

“We had surprises last year with (Takuma) Sato contending” before crashing on the last lap when trying to pass Franchitti, who started 16th and won.“Seeing how ‘carb day’ (the final practice on Friday) ran and how tight everybody was, anybody could be up front,” Hunter-Reay said. “ I think we could have any combination of 15 drivers up there challenging for the win.”

It’s a 33-car field that will be led by first-time pole winner Ed Carpenter, a local owner/driver and the stepson of former Indy chief Tony George.

Beside Carpenter on the front row will be two of five drivers from Andretti Autosport, rookie Carlos Munoz and Marco Andretti. The team also has James Hinchcliffe, who has won two IndyCar races this year, No. 4 starter E.J. Viso and Hunter-Reay.

Then there is the four-car lineup from Chip Ganassi Racing, led by Franchitti and Scott Dixon, who finished first and second, respectively, a year ago.

Team Penske has three entries: Castroneves, Will Power and rookie A.J. Allmendinger, a former NASCAR driver. They will try to give owner Roger Penske a record 16th win in the race. The team last won with Castroneves in 2009.

A budding feud?

Andretti Autosport has been the most impressive in the buildup to the race, especially Marco Andretti. He was at or near the top of the speed chart every day in practice and qualifying. He has top-end speed, something he didn’t have in 2006 when, as a rookie, he was run down in the last 400 yards by Sam Hornish Jr. for the win.

“I think if we execute, it’s ours to lose,” Andretti said.

Graham Rahal, starting 26th in his sixth Indianapolis 500, is hoping for a different result.“ There’s no secret, the Rahal and Andretti names are like oil and water,” Rahal said. “If there is one person I would hate to see win the Indy 500, it’s Marco Andretti. If there’s one person he’d hate to see win it, it’s probably me.”

Andretti said, “I don’t blame him. I’m the same way. I think right now it’s a friendly rivalry. We’ve had our run-ins in the past. I think we have a mutual respect.”

As two young American drivers in an IndyCar series in which Americans are in the minority, “I think it would be good for the series if we are at each other’s throats, that’s for sure,” Andretti said.

Harbaugh revved up

San Francisco 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh, a former quarterback for the Indianapolis Colts, will drive the Chevy Corvette Stingray pace car at the start of the race. After his buildup to running consistent laps at 120 mph, he said, “It’s not as easy as it looks.”